Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-000672/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Paolo Borchia (PfE), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE)
The European wine sector, which is worth over EUR 100 billion, provides millions of jobs and is currently going through hard times, is facing yet another hurdle thanks to the European Commission. The document of 4 February 2025 – not shared with the sector – on the revision of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan lists a number of proposals to reduce alcohol (and thus wine) consumption, including by increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages, introducing health warnings on labels, limiting advertising spots and increasing cross-border taxes.
In view of the above:
- 1.Why did the Commission publish this document, given that the measures envisaged in the previous European cancer strategy did not move beyond being ‘hypothetical’, as many operators and Member States expressed scepticism over their merit and applicability?
- 2.Considering the hard times that the sector is going through, as also noted by the High Level Group on Wine in its conclusions, has it carried out a preliminary study on the possible economic consequences of these proposals and their compatibility with other EU measures in the wine sector?
- 3.What does it intend to do to promote rather than penalise the wine sector, and how will it add value to it?
Submitted: 12.2.2025